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Aggressive representation for cyclists injured by negligent drivers
Salt Lake City's growing cycling community deserves legal protection from careless motorists. BAM fights for cyclists.
Salt Lake City has invested significantly in cycling infrastructure over the past decade, making bicycling an increasingly viable transportation and recreation option. The Jordan River Parkway Trail, expanded bike lanes on major arterials, and protected bike paths have attracted thousands of new cyclists. However, this growth has occurred on roads that still prioritize automobile traffic. Cyclists remain vulnerable members of the transportation network, facing drivers who are distracted, aggressive, or simply unaware of cyclists' rights and presence.
Bicycle accident cases present unique legal and medical challenges. Unlike car accidents, where both vehicles have frames, crumple zones, and airbags to absorb impact, a cyclist's only protection is often a helmet. The human body absorbs impact forces directly, resulting in devastating injuries even in low-speed collisions. A cyclist struck by a car traveling 20 mph suffers injuries comparable to a car accident at 40 mph because there is no vehicle structure to distribute the energy of the collision.
Insurance companies approach bicycle accident claims with the same bias they bring to auto accidents, but with an additional layer of prejudice. Many adjusters harbor the belief that cyclists are responsible for their own safety by staying off roads shared with cars. This attitude translates to lower settlement offers, more aggressive fault-shifting, and less respect for cyclist injuries. At BAM Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand cyclists' vulnerability, their legal rights, and the serious nature of bicycle accident injuries. Our founding partners Kigan Martineau and Dan Benzion have dedicated their practice to representing injured cyclists with the same intensity they bring to every case.
If we fail to meet every commitment before a settlement offer, you owe nothing. We cover all case costs upfront, including accident reconstruction experts, medical records, court costs, and investigation expenses. You have zero financial risk working with us.
Utah law treats bicycles as vehicles and grants cyclists most of the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. Understanding these laws is essential both for cycling safely and for defending your rights if you are injured. Utah Code § 41-6a-1105 through § 41-6a-1112 establish the comprehensive legal framework governing bicycle operation on Utah roads.
Utah Code § 41-6a-1106 requires all motor vehicles to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction. This law recognizes that cyclists need space to swerve around road hazards without risk of collision. Many drivers are unaware of this law or deliberately ignore it. If a driver strikes your bicycle while passing, we can use this statute to establish fault immediately. Even if no collision occurs, a driver passing too closely may be cited under this statute. Photographic evidence of close passes, dash camera footage, or eyewitness testimony of violations of the three-foot rule strengthens any bicycle accident case.
Utah Code § 41-6a-1107 grants bicycles the same right-of-way rules as motor vehicles at intersections. Cyclists have the right to proceed through a green light or green arrow in the same manner as cars. Conversely, cyclists must stop at red lights, stop signs, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Many drivers assume that cyclists do not have these same rights, leading to intersection collisions. Documentation of traffic signals at the time of your accident, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony are critical to proving that you had the right-of-way when struck by a driver who ran a red light or failed to yield.
Utah has no mandatory helmet law for adult cyclists, though helmets are strongly recommended by safety experts. For minors under 18, Utah Code § 41-6a-1113 requires the use of a properly fitted bicycle helmet. While helmet use does not determine fault in a bicycle accident, insurance companies will argue that failure to wear a helmet contributed to injury severity. This is known as "comparative fault" or comparative negligence. However, under Utah law, a cyclist's failure to wear a helmet cannot reduce compensation if the driver would have struck the cyclist regardless of helmet use. At BAM, we aggressively counter arguments that helmet use should reduce our clients' recoveries.
Electric bicycles have exploded in popularity in Salt Lake City, and Utah law has adapted to accommodate them. Utah Code § 41-6a-1102 defines three classes of e-bikes based on motor power and top-assisted speed. Class 1 e-bikes (motor assist up to 20 mph) and Class 2 e-bikes (throttle control up to 20 mph) are treated as regular bicycles for legal purposes. Class 3 e-bikes (motor assist up to 28 mph) require the rider to be at least 16 years old and have stricter regulations. Understanding which class of e-bike you were riding is important in a bicycle accident case, as it affects both liability and credibility arguments. An unregistered or unlawful e-bike can be misused by insurance companies to suggest you were operating an illegal vehicle.
Utah law requires bicycles to be equipped with a front light (white), rear light or reflector (red), and reflectors on wheels and pedals when operating at night. However, the absence of required lighting does not establish fault in an accident. If you were struck by a vehicle, the driver's duty to avoid hitting you exists regardless of your bike's lighting. Insurance companies will use any missing equipment as an excuse to reduce your claim, but BAM counters these arguments with the legal principle that equipment violations do not transfer fault for the collision itself.
Understanding the causes of bicycle accidents helps explain how negligent driving behavior injures cyclists. Salt Lake City's unique geography, climate, and traffic patterns create specific hazards for cyclists that differ from those faced by motorists.
Smartphone use is the fastest-growing cause of traffic accidents in Utah, and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to distracted drivers. A driver texting while traveling 35 mph covers the length of a football field without looking at the road. A cyclist has no time to swerve out of the path of an approaching vehicle. Utah does not have a comprehensive statewide texting ban while driving, creating a legal environment where drivers feel free to use phones while operating vehicles. Obtaining the at-fault driver's cell phone records through discovery can establish that they were texting, calling, or using apps at the time of your accident.
One of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Salt Lake City is the left-turn collision. A driver makes a left turn without seeing an oncoming cyclist traveling straight through an intersection. From the driver's perspective, they are looking for oncoming cars and fail to register a smaller cyclist. These accidents frequently occur at busy intersections including the 400 South crossing of 300 East, the intersection of 700 South and West Temple, and numerous other locations throughout Salt Lake City where bike lanes intersect with left-turn traffic. We reconstruct these accidents using traffic engineering principles, intersection sight distance analysis, and expert testimony on driver perception and reaction time.
Parked cars lining Salt Lake City's residential streets create a constant dooring hazard. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of a cyclist traveling in the bike lane, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Dooring accidents are particularly common in neighborhoods like Sugar House, the Avenues, Capitol Hill, and other close-in areas where on-street parking fills bike lanes. Utah Code § 41-6a-1110 requires drivers to ensure that opening a vehicle door does not interfere with traffic. However, enforcement is minimal and many drivers are simply unaware that cyclists exist. Dooring cases require establishing that the cyclist was following traffic laws and occupying a lawful lane position.
A right-hook occurs when a driver traveling in the same direction as a cyclist turns right across the cyclist's path without noticing. This is especially common at intersections where drivers are focused on cross-traffic and fail to check for cyclists in the right lane or bike lane. The bicycle is in a vehicle's "blind spot" relative to the driver's attention. Salt Lake City's protected bike lanes help prevent right-hooks, but these accidents still occur frequently on roads with conventional bike lanes or unprotected bicycle facilities.
Potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and missing grates are minor obstacles for cars but can cause a cyclist to lose control. If these hazards result from government negligence in maintaining roads, claims may be available against UDOT, Salt Lake City, or other entities under the Utah Governmental Immunity Act. These claims require proving that the government entity knew or should have known of the hazard and failed to repair or warn of it. Missing or damaged storm drain covers are particularly dangerous and often result in government liability when they cause bicycle accidents.
Salt Lake City's winter weather poses unique hazards. Cyclists are particularly vulnerable on ice and snow, but so are vehicles. When drivers fail to adjust their speed or following distance for winter conditions, the collision forces are multiplied. Ice build-up in bike lanes forces cyclists into traffic lanes, further increasing collision risk. UDOT's delayed response to winter storms means that cyclists often encounter unplowed bike lanes while cars enjoy relatively clear roads. We investigate winter weather conditions at the time of your accident, including weather service reports, road condition documentation, and the responding officer's observations.
Drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs are dramatically more likely to strike cyclists. A 2023 analysis of Salt Lake County crash data found that alcohol was a contributing factor in 18% of bicycle accidents, a rate significantly higher than the percentage for car-only accidents. Aggressive drivers who are speeding, tailgating, or deliberately driving in bike lanes create additional risk. If the driver who hit you was impaired or driving aggressively, we immediately request DUI records, toxicology results, and dash camera footage to establish recklessness that may support punitive damages.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers has experience representing cyclists injured in every type of accident. Each type presents unique liability issues and investigative requirements.
When a vehicle strikes a cyclist from behind, the driver was either following too closely, traveling too fast for conditions, or distracted. These accidents are almost always the driver's fault because drivers must maintain safe following distances and be prepared to stop in emergency situations. Rear-end collisions with cyclists are particularly devastating because the cyclist has no chance to brace for impact and no vehicle structure to absorb the energy. Injuries include severe back and spinal cord trauma, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding.
Many bicycle accidents occur when vehicles run red lights or fail to yield at intersections. These collisions frequently result in broadside (T-bone) impact, which is one of the most dangerous accident types. We obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras to establish the light status at the moment of impact. We also interview witnesses and reconstruct the accident using sight distance and timing analysis to prove the driver violated the cyclist's right-of-way.
When a driver hits a cyclist and flees the scene, victims often feel hopeless about recovery. In reality, Utah law provides multiple avenues for compensation. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can apply even if the driver is identified but uninsured. We work aggressively to identify hit-and-run drivers using surveillance footage, witness descriptions, vehicle debris analysis, and law enforcement resources. Even when the driver cannot be identified, uninsured motorist coverage under your own or your family's auto insurance typically covers hit-and-run bicycle injuries.
Cyclists can be struck by multiple vehicles, or a cyclist accident can trigger a secondary collision between two vehicles. These cases involve complex causation issues and multiple defendants. We investigate thoroughly to establish which driver's negligence caused your injuries and to pursue claims against all responsible parties and their insurers.
The lack of structural protection around a cyclist means that bicycle accidents cause severe injuries even at moderate vehicle speeds. Insurance companies dramatically underestimate bicycle injury severity, which is why specialized legal representation is critical.
A cyclist's head is frequently the first point of contact when struck by a vehicle. Even with a helmet, traumatic brain injuries occur commonly. Mild TBIs include concussion with temporary confusion, headache, and memory disruption. More severe TBIs cause permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, seizure disorders, and loss of consciousness. The CDC reports that motor vehicle crashes account for approximately 14% of all TBI-related emergency department visits. Long-term effects of TBI include difficulty with executive function, attention, working memory, and emotional regulation. These injuries have profound effects on employment, relationships, and quality of life. Our medical experts provide detailed testimony on TBI mechanisms, prognosis, and lifetime impact.
Spinal trauma is one of the most serious bicycle accident injuries. Cyclists can suffer herniated discs, vertebral fractures, ligament tears, and complete or partial spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injury results in paralysis affecting the lower body (paraplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia). The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that the average lifetime cost of care for paraplegia exceeds $2.5 million, while quadriplegia care can exceed $5 million. These damages must be fully reflected in any settlement or verdict. We retain life care planning experts who calculate the complete cost of future medical care, adaptive equipment, home modifications, personal care attendants, and lost earning potential over the victim's lifetime.
Cyclists frequently suffer complex fractures of the pelvis, femur, tibia, fibula, wrist, and ankle. Pelvic fractures are particularly serious, as they can damage internal organs and require extended hospitalization and rehabilitation. Femur (thighbone) fractures are among the most painful injuries and often require surgical fixation with plates and screws. These fractures frequently result in chronic pain, arthritis, and loss of mobility even after healing. Wrist and ankle fractures from bracing for impact can result in permanent weakness and reduced function.
The blunt force trauma of a vehicle striking a cyclist can rupture internal organs including the spleen, liver, kidneys, and intestines. Internal bleeding can be immediately life-threatening and may not be apparent at the scene. Any cyclist struck by a vehicle should receive immediate medical evaluation, even if they feel relatively fine. Adrenaline masks pain and symptoms. Internal bleeding that is not treated in the first few hours can be fatal.
Even "minor" bicycle accidents cause soft tissue injuries that result in chronic pain. Road rash (abrasion and laceration of skin), muscle contusions, ligament sprains, and strains can cause persistent pain for months or years. Some cyclists develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) following bicycle accident injuries, a serious condition characterized by disproportionate pain, swelling, and autonomic dysfunction. These injuries are often underestimated by insurance companies but have profound effects on victims' ability to work, exercise, and enjoy activities.
Many cyclists develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or significant anxiety following a bicycle accident. The experience of being struck by a vehicle is terrifying and can result in permanent fear of cycling or even riding in vehicles. Some cyclists never return to cycling after an accident. Psychological injuries are legitimate damages in bicycle accident cases and should be reflected in compensation. We work with clinical psychologists to document and quantify psychological harm.
Proving that a driver is liable for your bicycle accident requires establishing that the driver breached a duty to operate their vehicle safely and that this breach caused your injuries. Utah's modified comparative negligence standard allows recovery even if you are partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible.
Immediately after a bicycle accident, BAM investigates comprehensively. We obtain the police report and supplement it with our own investigation. We photograph the accident scene, including road markings, traffic signals, sight lines, and evidence of impact. We interview all available witnesses before their memories fade. We obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and personal security systems. We preserve the damaged bicycle for damage analysis. In serious cases, we retain accident reconstruction engineers who use physics principles to recreate exactly what happened.
When a driver violates a traffic law at the moment of impact, this constitutes "negligence per se" under Utah law. For example, if a driver runs a red light and strikes your bicycle, the red-light violation establishes negligence automatically. We use traffic citations, police reports, and eyewitness testimony to prove traffic law violations. The three-foot passing law (Utah Code § 41-6a-1106) is frequently violated by drivers who hit cyclists while passing, providing another basis for negligence per se.
Drivers have a legal duty to maintain a proper lookout for cyclists and other road users. Utah courts recognize that cyclists are foreseeable users of roadways and that drivers must take steps to avoid collisions. This duty includes adjusting speed for conditions, maintaining safe following distance, being aware of bike lanes, and looking carefully before turning. If a driver's conduct falls below the standard of a reasonable, careful driver and causes injury, liability is established.
In contested bicycle accident cases, expert witnesses are often necessary to prove liability. Accident reconstruction engineers can testify about sight distance, reaction time, and the physical mechanics of the collision. Biomechanical experts explain the forces involved. Traffic engineers testify about safe bicycle facilities and driver expectations. These experts are expensive (often $10,000 to $50,000 per case), but BAM advances all costs with no charge to clients.
Utah Code § 78B-5-818 establishes a "modified comparative negligence" standard that allows injured parties to recover damages as long as they were not more than 50% at fault. This means even cyclists who bear some responsibility for an accident can still recover from the at-fault driver, though their recovery is reduced proportionally.
Insurance companies routinely attempt to inflate cyclists' comparative fault to minimize settlements. They argue that cyclists should not have been in a certain location, should have worn a helmet, should have made eye contact with drivers, or were traveling too fast. BAM aggressively counters these arguments using traffic engineering principles, Utah law, and expert testimony. We demonstrate that cyclists have the same right to use public roads as motorists and that cyclists cannot be expected to predict or guard against driver negligence. For example, a cyclist in a properly marked bike lane cannot be found partially at fault for a driver who fails to see them.
Understanding insurance coverage following a bicycle accident is critical to protecting your claim. Unlike motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accident insurance claims are less standardized and more subject to insurer interpretation.
If the driver who hit you is uninsured or underinsured, your own auto insurance policy's uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies. Utah law requires all auto insurance policies to include UM/UIM coverage unless the policyholder specifically declines it. UM coverage typically matches your liability coverage limits. If you were hit by an uninsured driver and your own auto policy has $100,000 in UM coverage, that coverage applies to your injury claim. Many cyclists are surprised to learn that auto insurance covers bicycle accidents. We help clients maximize their own UM/UIM coverage through their own insurers.
Your health insurance covers emergency treatment and medical care following a bicycle accident, regardless of fault. However, your health insurer may place a lien on any settlement or judgment to recover what they paid for your treatment. These liens must be negotiated and sometimes paid from settlement proceeds. BAM handles health insurance lien negotiations to ensure that medical providers receive fair compensation while preserving maximum recovery for the injured cyclist.
In some limited circumstances, a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy may cover bicycle accident injuries. If an incident occurs on a property owner's property and is caused by a property defect, the property owner's liability coverage may apply. For example, if you are struck by a vehicle while riding on private property, the property owner's insurance may cover your injuries.
Under Utah Code § 31A-22-201, every driver must maintain liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident for bodily injury. These are extremely low limits that rarely cover serious bicycle accident injuries. A cyclist who suffers a spinal cord injury with $1 million in damages faces a significant gap between the minimum insurance limit and actual losses. If the at-fault driver's limit is exhausted, we pursue claims against the cyclist's own UM coverage and explore additional sources of recovery.
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents are a growing problem in Salt Lake City. Many cyclists fear that a hit-and-run means they have no legal recourse, but this is incorrect. Utah law provides multiple paths to recovery even when the at-fault driver is never identified.
Leaving the scene of an accident where someone is injured is a felony under Utah Code § 41-6a-1701. Drivers who hit cyclists and flee face significant criminal penalties if caught, including imprisonment and fines. This criminal liability creates an incentive for victims to report hit-and-run accidents to law enforcement immediately. Police have greater investigative resources than private citizens and can access surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and license plate reader technology to identify perpetrators.
Your own auto insurance's uninsured motorist coverage protects you even when hit by an unidentified hit-and-run driver. You must report the accident to police and provide a statement that the vehicle that hit you was unidentified. Once you meet these conditions, your UM coverage applies. BAM handles these claims aggressively, working with your insurer to establish the accident circumstances and access your full UM limits.
BAM uses multiple investigation techniques to identify hit-and-run drivers. We obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras before it is overwritten. We interview witnesses and pedestrians who may have observed the incident. We analyze vehicle debris left at the scene to identify the vehicle make, model, and year. We review traffic camera footage and license plate reader records if available. Even when the driver cannot be definitively identified, we work with law enforcement to maximize recovery through UM channels.
Dooring accidentsâwhere a parked vehicle's door suddenly opens into a cyclist's pathâare among the most dangerous bicycle accidents and are virtually impossible for cyclists to anticipate or avoid. These accidents frequently cause severe injuries and have been fatal in other cities.
Utah Code § 41-6a-1110 specifically prohibits opening a vehicle door if doing so would interfere with traffic, including bicycles. The law states that no person may open the door of a vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so, which includes ensuring that a cyclist is not approaching. This statute provides a clear legal basis for establishing driver fault in dooring accidents. Simply opening the door into a cyclist's path violates this statute and constitutes negligence per se.
Dooring accidents typically cause cyclists to collide with the door and vehicle, causing impact injuries. The cyclist then loses control and may be struck by following traffic or struck the pavement with significant force. Injuries from dooring accidents include facial lacerations and fractures, arm and shoulder injuries from bracing for impact, head injuries and traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries from the impact and fall, road rash from sliding on pavement, and internal organ damage. Many dooring victims are trapped between the vehicle and following traffic, compounding injury severity.
Proving a dooring case requires establishing that the vehicle was parked, that the door was opened into your path, and that the person opening the door should have known a cyclist was approaching. Witness testimony is critical. We interview anyone present at the scene who observed the incident. We photograph the scene from the cyclist's perspective to show sight distance and visibility. We examine the parked vehicle for damage and determine who the owner and driver were. We subpoena police reports and any dispatch records. We reconstruct the accident to establish that the cyclist was following traffic laws and in a lawful lane position.
Bicycle accidents frequently occur at intersections where drivers turning or failing to yield collide with cyclists traveling through with the right-of-way. These accidents include left-turn collisions, right-hook accidents, and red-light violations.
Left-turn collisions are among the most common bicycle accident types in Salt Lake City. A driver making a left turn fails to see an oncoming cyclist and turns directly into their path. These accidents commonly occur at busy intersections where drivers are focused on cross-traffic and fail to register smaller bicycles. From the cyclist's perspective, they are traveling straight through the intersection with the right-of-way and have no time to swerve. These accidents cause severe impact injuries and are often the driver's fault because drivers must yield to oncoming traffic before turning left.
Right-hook accidents occur when a driver traveling in the same direction as a cyclist turns right across the cyclist's path. The cyclist occupies the driver's right lane or bike lane, but the driver does not see the cyclist and turns right, striking them. These accidents are caused by driver inattention and failure to properly check blind spots before turning. Utah law requires drivers turning right to ensure the path is clear, and violation of this duty establishes liability.
When a driver runs a red light and strikes a cyclist who is lawfully proceeding through a green light, liability is clear. We obtain traffic signals data, surveillance footage, and witness testimony to establish the signal status at the moment of impact. Red-light violations constitute negligence per se under Utah law, providing an absolute basis for liability.
In intersection accidents, we retain traffic engineers who analyze sight distance from the driver's position to determine whether the cyclist should have been visible. We examine vegetation, parked vehicles, and other obstructions at the intersection. We may conduct sight line photography and analysis. We examine the cyclist's clothing and bike for visibility features like lights and reflectors. These analyses help establish whether the driver should have seen and avoided the cyclist.
Cyclists injured by negligent drivers are entitled to full compensation for all damages caused by the accident. Understanding these categories ensures that no element of loss is overlooked.
You are entitled to recover all medical expenses related to your bicycle accident injuries, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, imaging studies (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, prescription medications, orthopedic braces and supports, and home health care. You can also recover the cost of future medical treatment that you will need as a result of your injuries. For serious injuries, future medical costs often exceed past medical expenses. We work with life care planning experts to calculate the complete cost of future care over your lifetime.
If your bicycle accident injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for lost wages from the date of injury until you return to work. If you are permanently unable to work or your earning capacity is permanently reduced, you can recover the value of all future lost wages and lost earning capacity. Economists calculate this value using detailed analysis of your pre-accident earnings, age, career trajectory, and post-injury earning potential. Permanent disability results in large damages awards because future lost earning capacity is calculated over decades.
Utah law allows recovery for pain and suffering, the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries. This includes acute pain immediately following the accident as well as chronic pain that persists during recovery. The intensity and duration of pain, combined with the injury severity, determine pain and suffering awards. Serious bicycle accident injuries frequently result in substantial pain and suffering damages.
Psychological injuries resulting from bicycle accidents, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are compensable under Utah law. Many cyclists develop fear of cycling or traveling on roads following an accident. These psychological injuries profoundly impact quality of life and are recognized by courts as legitimate damages. We work with clinical psychologists to document and quantify psychological harm.
Cyclists with permanent disabilities resulting from their injuriesâsuch as spinal cord injuries causing paralysis, traumatic brain injuries causing cognitive impairment, or amputationsâare entitled to substantial damages reflecting the lifetime impact of these disabilities. Similarly, permanent scarring or disfigurement from road rash or surgical wounds is compensable. These awards recognize the fundamental change in the victim's life trajectory and quality of life.
Utah recognizes damages for loss of enjoyment of life, also called loss of enjoyment of the fruits of life. This encompasses the inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before your accident, including cycling, sports, hobbies, and social activities. Serious bicycle accident injuries frequently result in substantial loss of enjoyment damages because the victim's recreational and social life is permanently altered.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers approaches every bicycle accident case with specialized knowledge of cyclist vulnerability, Utah bicycle law, and the unique challenges of bicycle accident litigation. Our process maximizes your recovery at every stage.
Upon retention, BAM immediately investigates your accident. We visit the scene, photograph it from multiple angles, document road conditions, measure sight distances, and preserve evidence. We interview all available witnesses while their memories are fresh. We obtain the police report and supplement it with our investigation. For hit-and-run accidents, we immediately work with law enforcement and pursue surveillance footage before it is overwritten. Speed is critical in bicycle accident investigations because evidence disappears quickly.
We work closely with your medical providers to ensure that your injuries are thoroughly documented. We obtain all medical records, imaging studies, surgical reports, and pathology reports. We ensure that treatment providers understand the mechanism of injury and document how the accident caused your specific injuries. We help coordinate ongoing medical care and ensure that no required treatment is delayed by insurance company disputes. For serious injuries, we retain independent medical experts for second opinions and to provide testimony about injury severity and long-term prognosis.
For serious or contested cases, BAM retains accident reconstruction engineers, biomechanical experts, life care planners, economists, and medical specialists. We cover all expert costs upfront with no charge to clients. These experts provide crucial testimony and analysis that distinguishes our cases from those of cyclists representing themselves or with inexperienced counsel. Expert testimony is often the difference between a lowball settlement and full recovery.
BAM negotiates aggressively with the at-fault driver's liability insurance company and your own UM carrier. We present a comprehensive demand package that documents your injuries, damages, liability, and legal arguments. We maintain aggressive litigation timelines to signal to insurance companies that we are prepared to try the case if necessary. We counter every insurance company tactic, from lowball offers to attempts to establish comparative fault or challenge injury severity. Our track record of $100M+ in recovered compensation demonstrates the effectiveness of our negotiation approach.
If insurance companies refuse to offer fair value, BAM is prepared to file lawsuit and try your case before a jury. We have significant trial experience and are not intimidated by insurance company litigation tactics. We believe that juries understand cyclist vulnerability and sympathize with cyclists injured by careless drivers. At trial, we present compelling evidence of liability and damages through expert testimony, medical evidence, and witness testimony that clearly establishes the defendant's liability and the full value of your claim.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, you have four years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears quickly, and waiting years to pursue a claim weakens your case significantly. We recommend consulting an attorney within days of your bicycle accident, not months or years later. For wrongful death claims arising from fatal bicycle accidents, the deadline is two years under Utah Code § 78B-2-304.
If you are struck by a vehicle while riding your bicycle, call 911 immediately if you have any injuries requiring medical attention. Document the scene by taking photos and video of your bicycle, vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries. Obtain the driver's name, contact information, and insurance information. Collect witness contact information before they leave. Seek medical attention within 24 hours even if you feel fine, because adrenaline masks pain and symptoms. Do not speak to the other driver's insurance company without an attorney present. Contact BAM immediately at (801) 970-9913.
Yes. Under Utah's comparative negligence law, you can recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. If you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be $80,000. Insurance companies routinely inflate cyclists' comparative fault. BAM aggressively counters these arguments using traffic law, expert testimony, and engineering analysis to prove that drivers have a duty to avoid hitting cyclists and that cyclists cannot be expected to anticipate or guard against driver negligence.
Your own auto insurance's uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you even when struck by an uninsured driver. You must report the accident to police and provide a statement that the other vehicle was uninsured. Most UM policies have limits matching your liability coverage. BAM handles uninsured motorist claims against your own insurance company with the same aggressive approach we use against third-party insurers. Many cyclists are surprised to learn that their own auto insurance covers bicycle accidents.
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, your lost wages, the duration and intensity of your pain, your age, your earning capacity, and your ability to return to work. Minor injuries may settle for $15,000 to $50,000. Moderate injuries requiring surgery typically settle for $50,000 to $250,000. Serious injuries with permanent disability can result in settlements or verdicts of $500,000 to several million dollars. BAM evaluates every case individually and provides a frank assessment of its value during the initial consultation.
The statute of limitations for bicycle accident personal injury claims in Utah is four years from the date of the accident under Utah Code § 78B-2-307. However, evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage is overwritten, witnesses forget details, and memories fade. We recommend consulting an attorney within days of your accident, not months or years later. Waiting delays your claim and weakens your case by allowing critical evidence to be lost.
No. Utah has no mandatory helmet law for adults, and failure to wear a helmet does not prevent you from recovering full compensation. Insurance companies will argue that a helmet would have prevented or reduced your injuries, but under Utah law, a driver cannot escape liability because you failed to wear protective equipment. The driver has a duty to avoid hitting you regardless of your helmet status. We effectively counter insurance company arguments that link helmet use to settlement value.
If your accident was caused or contributed to by a pothole, missing grate, poor bike lane design, missing guardrail, or other road defect, the government entity responsible for maintaining the road may be liable. These claims are complex because they are governed by the Utah Governmental Immunity Act and require filing a notice of claim within one year of the accident. BAM has experience with these claims and works with engineering experts to analyze road design and maintenance issues.
Almost never. Insurance companies' first offers are typically lowballs designed to settle claims before the full extent of injuries is known. These early offers exploit accident victims' financial pressure and uncertainty. Studies consistently show that accident victims with attorneys recover substantially more than those who negotiate alone, even after attorney fees. We recommend consulting with an attorney before accepting any settlement offer.
Utah Code § 41-6a-1106 requires all motor vehicles to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle. This law recognizes that cyclists need space to swerve around obstacles without risk of collision. If a driver strikes you while passing too closely, this statute violation establishes negligence per se. We use this statute aggressively in passing accident cases to prove fault immediately.
A dooring accident occurs when an occupant of a parked vehicle opens the door into the path of a cyclist. Utah Code § 41-6a-1110 prohibits opening a vehicle door if doing so would interfere with traffic, including bicycles. Dooring accidents violate this statute and constitute negligence per se. The person who opened the door has a duty to ensure that a cyclist is not approaching. We pursue dooring claims aggressively because the driver's liability is clear and impacts are frequently severe.
If we fail to meet every commitment we make to you before a settlement offer, you owe us nothing. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all case costs, including expert fees, accident reconstruction, court costs, and investigation expenses. You have absolutely zero financial risk when you hire BAM Personal Injury Lawyers. We are only paid if we win your case and recover compensation for you.
Every bicycle accident case starts with a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, evaluate your claim, and explain your legal options. There is no obligation and no cost. Call BAM Personal Injury Lawyers today at (801) 970-9913 or visit our Murray office at 310 E 4500 S #550, Murray, UT 84107. We are available 24/7 and offer bilingual services in English and Spanish.
From our office in Murray, BAM Personal Injury Lawyers serves bicycle accident victims throughout Salt Lake County, including Downtown Salt Lake City, the Jordan River Parkway, Sugar House, the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Central City, Liberty Park, University District, Rose Park, Glendale, Poplar Grove, Marmalade, Federal Heights, East Bench, Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, Taylorsville, and all surrounding communities.
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